@SCENARIO
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^^A Scenario by Benjamin Ball
^In 2110 the United Nations spaceship Columbus 3 at last landed humans on Mars, and colonies modeled
^on the successful Lunar Habitations soon followed.  At first Mars housed only a few researchers and
^scientists, but the discovery on Mars of cornucopium (the key to cheap cold fusion power) led to a
^flood of colonists and miners under the authority of the mining giant MegaloCorp.  For more than a 
^century Mars was the most vital element in Earth's economy, and the population of Mars swelled to
^the millions.  But as the population grew, so did a sense of discontent over the policies of the distant
^Earth government and the oppressive behavior of MegaloCorp; colonists and miners alike were virtual
^slaves, dependent on the company literally for the very air they breathed.  Strikes and protests were
^met with violence from MegaloCorp, and the situation worsened. On July 4, 2289, a loose Alliance of
^miners, liberal academics, and native-born colonists declared independence from Earth.  A Coalition 
^composed of MegaloCorp executives, recent immigrants, and Earth collaborators formed to support the 
^United Nations government, and war erupted on Mars with both sides receiving massive aid from their
^sympathizers on Earth.  The Martian War of Independence raged for more than ten years and nearly
^rendered Mars lifeless once more; the great polar colonies were destroyed, and only scattered enclaves 
^of the various factions remained.  Then, in 2299, cornucopium was found in deep mines on Earth, and
^Earthly support for both sides in the war vanished overnight.  The United Nations placed Mars under a
^Quarantine of automated killer satellites and abandoned the planet.  Fighting on the surface continued
^for a few more months, but both sides exhausted the last of their heavy munitions in the Battle of
^Goddard Canyon in August 2299.  Soon after, the exhausted factions retreated to their enclaves and
^lost contact with one another.  It is now March 1, 2300, and you are the leader of a Martian faction.
^Can you conquer all of Mars, or break the Quarantine and return in triumph to Earth?
^
^Do not play the FUGEES.  Check the civilopedia for more details, but be ready for surprises!
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